Integrated bypass valve with pressure, position, and flowrate feedback capabilities

Abstract

A bypass valve includes a housing for directing fluid flow through the bypass valve. A disc is positioned within the flow path having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter. The bypass valve further includes at least one strain gauge disposed on the disc. One of the inner and outer perimeters of the disc is fixed to the bypass valve housing and one of the inner and outer perimeter of the disc is free to deflect from the bypass valve housing in response to fluid flow through the bypass valve such that a measurement of deflection of the disc induces strain on the strain gauge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bypass valve, comprising:
 a housing for directing fluid flow through the bypass valve;   a disc is positioned in the flow path having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter; and   at least one strain gauge disposed on the disc,   wherein one of the inner and outer perimeter of the disc is fixed to the housing and one of the inner and outer perimeter of the disc is free to deflect from the housing in response to fluid flow through the bypass valve such that a measurement of the deflection of the disc induces strain on the strain gauge.   
     
     
         2 . The bypass valve of  claim 1 , wherein the disc is configured to deflect as a function of pressure of fluid flow through the bypass valve. 
     
     
         3 . The bypass valve of  claim 1 , wherein an amount of deflection of the outer perimeter of the disc generates strain on the disc proportional to the pressure of fluid flow through the bypass valve. 
     
     
         4 . The bypass valve of  claim 1 , wherein the disc has an upstream surface configured to allow fluid to pass over the disc and the strain gauge is coupled to a downstream surface of the disc opposite the upstream surface. 
     
     
         5 . The bypass valve of  claim 1 , wherein the disc has a first position defined by the free perimeter of the disc adjacent the housing configured to seal with the housing in the first position. 
     
     
         6 . The bypass valve of  claim 5 , wherein the disc has a second position defined by the free perimeter of the disc separated from the housing configured to allow fluid flow through the bypass valve. 
     
     
         7 . The bypass valve of  claim 5 , wherein the disc is metal and loaded into housing creating a metal to metal seal of the bypass valve in the first position. 
     
     
         8 . The bypass valve of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of housing that the inner perimeter of disc is coupled to is threaded with a screw feature to lock-in the position of the disc. 
     
     
         9 . The bypass valve of  claim 1 , further comprising a harness in communication with strain gauge configured to provide feedback of the deflection of the outer perimeter of the bypass valve's disc to a control system. 
     
     
         10 . The bypass valve of  claim 1 , wherein the bypass valve includes two strain gauges. 
     
     
         11 . The bypass valve of  claim 1 , wherein the inner perimeter of the bypass valve's disc is fixed to the housing and the outer perimeter of the disc is free to deflect away from the housing.